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Chapman, Castillo shine in Reds' loss

Chapman, Castillo shine in Reds' loss

By Mark Sheldon
/
MLB.com |

BREWERS 5, REDS 2at Goodyear, Ariz.Wednesday, March 17

Reds at the plate: Playing second base in his bid for a utility man roster spot, Wilkin Castillo was 2-for-2. He hit a triple in the fifth inning and scored on an errant pickoff throw to first base by the pitcher. Chris Dickerson was 1-for-2 to bring his spring average to .435. Scott Rolen was 1-for-3.

Brewers at the plate: Leading off the first inning, Rickie Weeks became the first big league hitter to do damage against Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman. Weeks slugged a 3-1 pitch for a leadoff homer to left-center field and also walked in the top of the third. In a two-run Milwaukee sixth, Corey Hart hit an RBI double to center field that was lost in the sun by Chris Dickerson. Craig Counsell added an RBI double near the right-field line. Pinch-hitter Adam Stern hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.

Reds on the mound: In his third outing, but first spring start, Chapman worked three innings with one hit, one run, one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 45 pitches, 29 for strikes. Nick Masset allowed one hit and struck out one in one inning. Arthur Rhodes pitched one perfect inning. Kip Wells gave up four earned runs, four hits, three walks over two innings, with two strikeouts.

Brewers on the mound: Starter Doug Davis gave up three hits and a walk over four scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Kameron Loe followed with two innings pitched, one hit, one unearned run, one walk and two strikeouts. Scott Schoeneweis pitched a perfect inning.

Worth noting: Making his debut at first base, usual outfielder Jim Edmonds dropped a routine popup hit by Wladimir Balentien. Although it wouldn't have seemed to matter on that particular play, it did not appear that Edmonds was using a first baseman's glove.

Cactus League records: Reds 6-5-1; Brewers 10-6

Up next: The Reds have only a few hours before they have another split-squad game on Wednesday night at 10:05 p.m. ET against the Indians. Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips and Orlando Cabrera will be in the lineup and Bronson Arroyo will start against Fausto Carmona. Following Arroyo will be Enerio Del Rosario, Jared Burton, Daniel Ray Herrera and Micah Owings.

It will be another busy day in the Brewers' pitching competition on Thursday, when Dave Bush and Manny Parra will pitch separate games against the Rangers. Bush will throw a "B" game against Texas in Surprise, Ariz., before Parra takes his turn in the regularly-scheduled "A" game at 7 p.m. CT. It's the only night game during the Arizona portion of the Brewers' spring schedule, and Bob Uecker and Cory Provus will have the call on the Brewers Radio Network and MLB.com's Gameday Audio. Hot-hitting catcher Gregg Zaun is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter in the nightcap, while sluggers Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have the day off.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.